Ezekiel 23:45
New International Version
But righteous judges will sentence them to the punishment of women who commit adultery and shed blood, because they are adulterous and blood is on their hands.

New Living Translation
But righteous people will judge these sister cities for what they really are—adulterers and murderers.

English Standard Version
But righteous men shall pass judgment on them with the sentence of adulteresses, and with the sentence of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.”

Berean Standard Bible
But righteous men will sentence them to the punishment of those who commit adultery and bloodshed, because they are adulteresses with blood on their hands.

King James Bible
And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

New King James Version
But righteous men will judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.

New American Standard Bible
But they, righteous people, will judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and with the judgment of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.

NASB 1995
“But they, righteous men, will judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and with the judgment of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.

NASB 1977
“But they, righteous men, will judge them with the judgment of adulteresses, and with the judgment of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.

Legacy Standard Bible
But they, righteous men, will judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and with the judgment of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.

Amplified Bible
And they, righteous men, will judge and condemn them with the judgment (punishment) of adulteresses and with the judgment of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.

Christian Standard Bible
But righteous men will judge them the way adulteresses and those who shed blood are judged, for they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But righteous men will judge them the way adulteresses and those who shed blood are judged, for they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.”

American Standard Version
And righteous men, they shall judge them with the judgment of adulteresses, and with the judgment of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

Contemporary English Version
But honest judges will someday accuse those two of murder and of being unfaithful, because they are certainly guilty.

English Revised Version
And righteous men, they shall judge them with the judgment of adulteresses, and with the judgment of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Righteous people will punish these women for adultery and for murder, because these women have committed adultery and their hands are covered with blood.

Good News Translation
Righteous men will condemn them on the charge of adultery and murder, because they practice adultery and their hands are stained with blood."

International Standard Version
Righteous men will judge them with punishments fit for adulterers and for those who shed blood, because they're adulterers with blood on their hands."

Majority Standard Bible
But righteous men will sentence them to the punishment of those who commit adultery and bloodshed, because they are adulteresses with blood on their hands.

NET Bible
But upright men will punish them appropriately for their adultery and bloodshed, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.

New Heart English Bible
Righteous men, they shall judge them with the judgment of adulteresses, and with the judgment of women who shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

World English Bible
Righteous men will judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and with the judgment of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
As for righteous men, they judge them with the judgment of adulteresses, "" And the judgment of women shedding blood, "" For they [are] adulteresses, "" And blood [is] in their hands.

Young's Literal Translation
As to righteous men, they judge them with the judgment of adulteresses, And the judgment of women shedding blood, For they are adulteresses, And blood is in their hands.

Smith's Literal Translation
And just men they shall judge them with the judgment of adultresses, and with the judgment of those pouring out blood; for they are adultresses, and blood in their hands.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They therefore are k just men: these shall judge them as adulteresses are judged, and as shedders of blood are judged: because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But there are just men; these shall judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and with the judgment of those who shed blood. For they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.

New American Bible
The righteous shall certainly punish them with sentences given to adulterers and murderers, for they committed adultery, and blood is on their hands.

New Revised Standard Version
But righteous judges shall declare them guilty of adultery and of bloodshed; because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the righteous men shall judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and the judgment of those who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And righteous men shall judge them with the judgment of adulteresses, and the judgment of those who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But righteous men, they shall judge them as adulteresses are judged, and as women that shed blood are judged; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they are just men, and shall take vengeance on them with the judgement of an adulteress and the judgement of blood: for they are adulteresses, land blood is in their hands.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment on Both Sisters
44And they slept with her as with a prostitute; they slept with Oholah and Oholibah, those lewd women. 45But righteous men will sentence them to the punishment of those who commit adultery and bloodshed, because they are adulteresses with blood on their hands. 46This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Bring a mob against them and consign them to terror and plunder.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 23:14
And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

Hosea 4:14
I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Leviticus 20:10
If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 22:22
If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13
What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? / God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

Romans 1:32
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.

Revelation 18:3
All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.”

Jeremiah 29:23
For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.”

2 Peter 2:14
Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.

Matthew 7:1-2
“Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

John 8:4-5
and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 17:1-2
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”

Isaiah 1:21
See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!


Treasury of Scripture

And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

Ezekiel 23:36
The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations;

Jeremiah 5:14
Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Hosea 6:5
Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.

after the manner of adulteresses.

Ezekiel 23:37-39
That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them

Ezekiel 16:38-43
And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy…

Leviticus 20:10
And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

because

Ezekiel 23:37
That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.

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Ezekiel 23
1. The unfaithfulness of Aholah and Aholibah
23. Aholibah is to be plagued by her lovers
36. The prophet reproves the adulteries of them both
45. and shows their judgments














But righteous men
The phrase "righteous men" refers to individuals who live according to God's laws and principles. In the Hebrew context, the word for "righteous" is "tsaddiq," which denotes someone who is just, lawful, and in right standing with God. Historically, the role of righteous men in Israel was to uphold justice and maintain the moral and spiritual integrity of the community. This phrase emphasizes the importance of godly leadership and accountability in society.

will sentence them
The act of sentencing implies a judicial process where a verdict is rendered. In ancient Israel, the judicial system was deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, which provided guidelines for dealing with transgressions. The Hebrew word "shaphat" means to judge or govern, indicating that these righteous men are acting as judges who are executing divine justice. This reflects the biblical principle that God uses human agents to carry out His justice on earth.

to the punishment
Punishment in the biblical sense is not merely retributive but also corrective and restorative. The Hebrew word "mishpat" often translated as judgment or justice, encompasses the idea of setting things right. In the context of Ezekiel, punishment serves as a means to bring about repentance and restoration to God's covenant people. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of divine discipline.

of those who commit adultery
Adultery is a grave sin in the biblical narrative, symbolizing unfaithfulness not only in marriage but also in the covenant relationship with God. The Hebrew term "na'aph" is used for adultery, which is often metaphorically applied to Israel's idolatry and spiritual infidelity. This phrase highlights the parallel between physical adultery and spiritual apostasy, both of which breach the covenant with God.

and bloodshed
Bloodshed refers to acts of violence and murder, which are strictly condemned in the Scriptures. The Hebrew word "dam" signifies blood, often associated with life and its sanctity. In the biblical context, shedding innocent blood is a direct violation of God's commandment and disrupts the moral order established by God. This phrase serves as a reminder of the value God places on human life and the severe consequences of taking it unjustly.

because they are adulteresses
This phrase identifies the transgressors as those who have committed adultery, both literally and metaphorically. In Ezekiel, the imagery of adultery is frequently used to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry. The term "na'aph" again underscores the breach of trust and loyalty, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of their sin.

and blood is on their hands
The imagery of blood on one's hands signifies guilt and responsibility for acts of violence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, hands symbolize action and agency, and having blood on one's hands indicates culpability for murder or violence. This phrase serves as a powerful indictment of the people's sins, calling them to acknowledge their guilt and the need for repentance.

(45) The righteous men.--That is, men to whom the judgment of righteousness is committed.

Verse 45. - The righteous men are in effect the ministers of God's wrath. The doom comes at last on both the sisters, who are murderers as well as adulteresses. They shall suffer the punishment of stoning which the Law commanded (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22, 24; John 8:5), and after that their bodies were to be hacked to pieces. The result of that judgment would be that all women should learn not to do after their lewdness, i.e. that idolatry should cease from being the sin of the cities of Israel.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But righteous
צַדִּיקִ֗ם (ṣad·dî·qim)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

men
וַאֲנָשִׁ֣ים (wa·’ă·nā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

will sentence
יִשְׁפְּט֣וּ (yiš·pə·ṭū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

them
אֽוֹתְהֶ֔ם (’ō·wṯ·hem)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

to the punishment of
וּמִשְׁפַּ֖ט (ū·miš·paṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

those who commit adultery
נֹֽאֲפ֔וֹת (nō·’ă·p̄ō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 5003: To commit adultery, to apostatize

and bloodshed,
שֹׁפְכ֣וֹת (šō·p̄ə·ḵō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural construct
Strong's 8210: To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out

because
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they
הֵ֔נָּה (hên·nāh)
Pronoun - third person feminine plural
Strong's 2007: Themselves

are adulteresses
נֹֽאֲפֹת֙ (nō·’ă·p̄ōṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 5003: To commit adultery, to apostatize

with blood
וְדָ֖ם (wə·ḏām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

on their hands.
בִּֽידֵיהֶֽן׃ (bî·ḏê·hen)
Preposition-b | Noun - fdc | third person feminine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 23:45 Righteous men they shall judge them (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
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